Special train trip for your sweetie

If the love of your life happens to be a train nut you might consider combining romance and a ride on the rails on a Valentine’s Day train.

The ride also includes a bit of banjo music, a walk through a meadow and a peek at a lovely waterfall.

The annual Valentine’s Day event is offered by Lake Whatcom Railway. There are two 1 1/2-hour train trips Feb. 9.

The appeal for buffs is that the trains will be pulled by a vintage diesel locomotive that was built in 1940. The passenger cars were used on American railroads before the days of Amtrak. These cars, which date from 1910 to 1925, have been kept in the same condition as they were when they were used 50 years ago.

Since 1940 they were used on the Northern Pacific Railway east and south of Seattle, according to a press release.

On board, passengers will be treated to banjo music. Snacks will be available to buy on the train’s coffee shop.

The journey begins at Wickersham on Highway 9, 10 miles north of Sedro-Woolley.

The trains travel a short distance next to Highway 9, then go through a small tunnel along a lake and out into the woods. The train stops at a meadow in the woods and passengers can get off and take a short hike to a waterfall.

The Valentine Trains can sell out so tickets are being sold in advance by reservation only through the Bellingham Railway Museum. Call 360-393-7540.

When purchasing tickets, specify the number of adults and children as well as preferred time.

The trips leave at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Feb. 9. The fare is $20 for adults, $35 for a couple, $10 for children and free for babies a year old or less.